PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, GREENSBURG, KANSAS
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Thank you for all your e-mails from around the country and overseas, concerning Greensburg, Kansas. The town of Greensburg was devastated by an F5 tornado with winds of more than 200 miles per hour. Literally, nothing is left. Peace Lutheran Church is located just west of the BIG WELL (water tower). It was shown on the news, (CNN), in a 360 degree look of Greensburg. The rescue people and emergency personnel are doing a tremendous job making the town ready for its people to return to see what is left.
I think that today, we will first get to go into Greensburg. PeaceÄôs members are staying with family and friends and I have heard from or about most of our members. Red Cross and FEMA are hard at work. The people of Greensburg are resolute people, they have courage, they are anxious and emotional, but most of all, I heard time and again at the shelters, ÄúWe are thankful to be alive.Äù
The clean-up effort will take weeks and months, but we will survive with Our LordÄôs help! All of you have inquired on how you and your congregation can help. Here are some ways.
1. Pray - one of my members, Richard Senst and his family, told me with tears as we hugged at the shelter, ÄúKeep us in your prayers!Äù
2. LCMS World Relief and Human Care will be here Monday evening and Tuesday meeting with our District President and Staff, Circuit Pastors and laity to put a plan into action on how to serve the people of Peace Lutheran and Greensburg.
3. Of course donations can be sent to LCMS World Relief, earmarked for Greensburg Tornado.
4. Locally, Our SaviorÄôs Lutheran Church in Pratt, (Dual Parish with Peace, Greensburg), has set up a ÄòPeace Lutheran Disaster FundÄô to help the members of Peace Lutheran Church. Donations can be sent to: Our SaviorÄôs Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 192, Pratt, Kansas 67124, with checks made out to ÄòPeace Lutheran Disaster FundÄô. Also, we are getting a collection together of clothing, hygiene items, towels, even furniture for our members who have lost everything.
5. Help Äì the time will come when I am sure that help will be needed to help clear debris and rubble. We will pass on the word to all of you Äì your helping hands are greatly appreciated.
Most of you have asked about the church, it of course is also gone. Some of you have asked if we need hymnals, Bibles, church furniture, there of course is a need for that. We will let you know.
Any questions, please call:
(620)-672-6203 Our SaviorÄôs
(620)-388-0518 PastorÄôs Cell Phone